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1. Does the City of McKinney have a public storm shelter?

The City of McKinney does not have a public storm shelter for many reasons. Please read below for more details.

Traveling to a shelter
Residents are encouraged to stay home during all types of severe weather. Traveling is extremely dangerous and exposes residents to the very hazard they are trying to avoid. Traveling is also a concern because residents may get stuck in traffic while driving to a shelter, causing residents to be vulnerable in their vehicles. Another reason we encourage staying home, is that residents may not be able to get to a shelter in time. A tornado warning typically provides residents with 10-15 minutes of advanced warning, sometimes less. This is often not enough time for residents to leave their homes and drive to another location. Please see what to do before, during and after severe weather.

Shelter Capacity
Due to the population of the City of McKinney, building a shelter large enough to protect even a small portion of McKinney residents is not feasible. Opening a public shelter would also lead residents to driving to the shelter during severe weather, putting themselves and their families more at risk to the elements.

Shelter Availability
The shelters may not always be open. Opening a public shelter would require staff or volunteers to be ready and available during severe weather. It is often difficult to determine the exact location and timing of severe weather, therefore staff or volunteers may not be available to open and manage a public shelter.

Fire Stations
City of McKinney fire stations do not have places to shelter residents in the event of severe weather. Residents who seek shelter at fire station

• Are at risk of getting caught outside in the storm
  
• May arrive to find the Station empty and locked
  
• Limit the number of personnel who are able to respond to emergency calls
  

2. How am I supposed to be warned of potential threats if I am inside?

The best way to ensure that you and your family are alerted in the event of an emergency, weather-related or otherwise, is to purchase a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio.

3. What do I do if I hear the OWS sirens?

Seek Shelter. Seek Information.

If you hear the sirens, seek sturdy shelter immediately. Make your way to an interior room on the lowest level, away from windows and exterior walls, and tune into a local station via radio, television, internet or electronic device for more information about the specific hazard.

4. Should I call 911 if I hear the OWS sirens activate?

No, if the OWS sirens go off do not call 911. This could flood the City's Public Safety Dispatch Center with non-emergency calls and prevent true emergencies from connecting. Instead, seek shelter and seek information immediately via radio, television, internet or electronic device so you can make an informed decision.

5. Why can't I hear the sirens when I am inside my house or another building?

The Outdoor Warning System is designed to alert persons who are outside to move indoors, seek shelter and seek information. The system may not be audible from inside your home and it is not designed to wake you in the middle of the night.